"The first bits of melody in Donald Crockett's Night Scenes are clearly heard as additive constructions...The process is easy to follow at first hearing, yet leads to an irregular and unpredictable meter...The composer's ability to make his thought processes lucid while keeping the listener off-kilter is a key reason for the success of his fine new disc of chamber works performed by the estimable Firebird Ensemble."
"To Airy Thinness Beat is a chamber concerto for viola and six instruments, performed here with vivid color and palpable verve by soloist Kate Vincent. The colors Crockett conjures are a marvel, and far more varied than one might expect from such a small contingent."
"This disc is an ideal collaboration between ensemble and composer. The commitment and energy are palpable, and the works are uniformly top-drawer."
Michael Cameron, Fanfare magazine
Night Scenes
Track listing
1. Night Scenes I. Scatter the Barbarians
2. Night Scenes II. The Blue Guitar
3. Night Scenes III. Midnight Train
4. Night Scenes IV. Night Hawks
5. to airy thinness beat I. Suspended
6. to airy thinness beat II. Heavy and energetic
7. to airy thinness beat III. Fast and furious, suddenly slow and elegiac
8. Wet Ink
9. Scree I. Adagio, Appassionata, Flessibile
10. Scree II. Vivo
11. Scree III. Molto Moderato, Cantando
12. Scree IV. Disperato
Firebird Ensemble
New World Records
Night Scenes
Gabriela Diaz, violin
David Russell, cello
Cory Smythe, piano
to airy thinness beat
Chamber Concerto for Viola and Six Instruments
Kate Vincent, solo viola
Gabriela Diaz, violin
David Russell, cello
Rane Moore, clarinets
Scot Fitzsimmons, double bass
Sarah Bob, piano
Aaron Trant, percussion
Jeffrey Means, conductor
Wet Ink
Gabriela Diaz, violin
Cory Smythe, piano
Scree
David Russell, cello
Cory Smythe, piano
Jeffrey Means, percussion